Photo: #12 Brennan Nelson celebrates a goal back on Nov 6th versus the Centennials
Photo Credit: Tami Quan
January 5th, 2022
West Kelowna, B.C. – For the first time this season the Warriors travel to the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena to take on the Merritt Centennials.
The Warriors are coming off yet another victory over the Penticton Vees last Saturday night. It was another game where the Warriors capitalized on their chances and forced a shootout. During the shootout, Warriors forward Chase Dafoe was the lone scorer on the shootout allowing the Warriors to take three out of four games versus the Vees. Once again it was a top to bottom performance for the Warriors with rookie goaltender Justin Katz coming through in the clutch against one of the top teams in the league.
Wednesday January 5th @ Merritt Centennials (2-21-1): 7:00pm (Warriors lead season series 2-0)
Saturday January 8th VS Merritt Centennials (2-21-1): 7:00pm
Tonight the Warriors head to Merritt and the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena. The Warriors have yet to play a game this season inside the NVMA with both matchups played inside Royal LePage Place in West Kelowna. The Warriors recent game versus the Centennials didn’t start well. The Centennials got off to a 2-0 lead in the second period before the Warriors scored 6 goals and ended up winning. It was a game where the Warriors gave up some grade A scoring chances and left goaltender Johnny Derrick hung out to dry. The Warriors would turn things up in the 2nd half. The new members of the Warriors don’t necessarily know what they are getting themselves into in the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena. The NVMA is unlike any venue in the BCHL, it’s the smallest ice surface in the league where offense can happen with a snap of a finger. It’s important that the Warriors get off to a lead early and stay managing the lead throughout. In both wins the Centennials have had this season they’ve been able to force OT and capitalize on 3 on 3 scoring. After Wednesday’s game the Warriors will return to West Kelowna to conclude their 2 game set against the Centennials which will also be a 7:00pm puck drop on Saturday.
Just a reminder to fans that there will be no Warriors AWAY broadcast for Wednesday Nights game. This game broadcast will only be available on the Home feed with a free radio stream at Q101 Radio in Merritt. Puck drop at 7:00pm from the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena in Merritt. There are tickets available for the Warriors next home game Saturday night versus the Centennials at westkelownawarriors.ca.
